Uncaring, people walked past the ragged figure braving the scorching sun in front of a whitewashed wall.
"I tell you, we are all doomed," he ranted, ignoring the fact that no one was listening to him.
"The gods have abandoned the island. Evil has awakened! The Holy Flame alone cannot protect us forever!"
No one stopped. People had their own worries. Business had been bad since the city was closed. The preacher continued without wavering. "Three signs have been revealed," he cried with a rough voice, "three signs!"
"The earthquakes were the first. And no one paid attention. The heathen temples were the second. And again, no one would listen. They were plundered – you have defiled yourselves with their trinkets. The beasts were the third sign. Three signs. The gods have abandoned us, and soon the Holy Flame will be extinguished. Ancient powers will arise. The end is near!"
